Lobelia plant named &#39;Lobantis

ABSTRACT

A new Lobelia plant particularly distinguished by its semi-upright mounded plant habit, large flower size and pink flower color.

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

[0001] ‘Lobantis’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

[0002] The present invention comprises a new distinct cultivar ofLobelia, botantially known as Lobelia erinus. The new cultivar ispropagated by cuttings resulting from the cross between ‘Y697A’ and‘S526.’ ‘Y697A’ is a pink flower color selection of our own breeding,having a mounded plant habit and early flowering. ‘S526’ is a light pinkflower color selection of our own breeding, having a strong growth andgood branching. Neither ‘Y697A’ nor ‘S526’ has not been patented.

[0003] As a result of this cross, the present cultivar was created in1999 in Enkhuizen, Netherlands and has been repeatably asexuallyreproduced by cuttings in Enkhuizen, Netherlands over a three-yearperiod. It has been found to retain its distinctive characteristicsthrough successive propagations, and this novelty appears to be firmlyfixed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0004] This new Lobelia plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographic drawing which shows blooms, buds and foliage of the plantin full color, the color shown being as true as can be reasonablyobtained by conventional photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

[0005] The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of this new Lobelia plant. The data which defines thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inEnkhuizen, Netherlands. The plant history was taken on 12 weeks oldplants. Color references are primarily to the RHS Colour Chart of TheRoyal Horticultural Society of London. Comparison between the newcultivar ‘Lobantis’ and a similar cultivar ‘Lobantis’ ‘Blue Star’ Plantheight 15 cm 10 cm Plant width 30 cm 35 cm Plant shape Semi-uprightSpreading Flower Color Upper surface 76B  95B Lower surface 76B 100AFlower tube 82C  95C

[0006] The plant:

[0007]Classification.—Botanical: Lobelia erinus.

[0008] Parentage:

[0009]Female parent.—A seedling named ‘Y697A’ is one of our seedingsfrom our Y-generation of plants bred in 1998.

[0010]Pollen parent.—A seedling named ‘S526’ is one of our seedlingsfrom our S-generation of plants bred in 1992.

[0011] Plant description:

[0012]Growth habit.—Semi-upright, mounded.

[0013]Plant height.—15 cm.

[0014]Speading area of plant.—30 cm.

[0015]Growth rate.—Moderate growth.

[0016]Strength.—Good.

[0017]Branching character.—Freely branching and lateral branching atevery node. Pinching will enhance branching. Branches strong andflexible.

[0018]Blooming period.—From May until October.

[0019] The stem:

[0020]Diameter.—1.5 mm.

[0021]Texture.—Smooth, slightly pubescent, glossy.

[0022]Color.—RHS 138B.

[0023]Length of internode.—13 mm, depending on the light conditionswhere the plant is propagated.

[0024]Shape.—(Tri)angular.

[0025] The foliage:

[0026]Shape.—Leaves simple, generally symmetrical and flat. Broadlyovate with rounded apex, obtuse to attenuate base and crenate margin.

[0027]Texture.—Slightly pubescent, glossy.

[0028]Length.—Young 30 mm, fully expanded 55 mm.

[0029]Width.—Young 10 mm, fully expanded 23 mm.

[0030]Color.—Upper side RHS 137A — Lower side: RHS 138A.

[0031] The flower:

[0032]Type and habit.—Flowers form at apical axils, usually one flowerper axil. Flowers labiate, upper lip consisting of two small petals andlower lip consisting of three larger and broader petals. Petals arefused at base into a tube. Freely and continuously flowering. Flowersface outward. Flower persistent. Texture, slightly pubescent. Oblongshape with acute apex and entire margin.

[0033]Flower.—Width: Upper petals 1 mm, lower petals 6 mm — Length:Upper petals 5 mm, lower petals 10 mm — Depth 7 mm.

[0034]Texture.—Smooth, pubescent.

[0035]Buds.—Length: 7 mm — Diameter: 2 mm — Form: Tubular — Color: Lightgreen.

[0036]Flower color.—Upper surface: RHS 76B — Lower surface: RHS 76B —Flower tube: RHS 82C.

[0037]Sepals.—No. of sepals: 5 — Length: 6 mm — Width: 0.5 mm — Texture:Smooth, slightly pubescent — Color: RHS 137B.

[0038]Flower stem.—Length: 25 mm — Angle: Upright — Strength: Rigid,flexible — Color: RHS 137B.

[0039]Flower throat.—Color: Upper RHS 76B Lower RHS 76B, spots RHS N81A— Texture: Whiskered.

[0040] Reproductive organs:

[0041]Androecium.—Stamen number: 5 — Anther shape: Oblong — Antherlength: 1 mm — Pollen color: RHS 202B — Amount of pollen: Moderate.

[0042]Gynoecium.—Pistil length: 8 mm — Stigma shape: Bilobate — Stigmadiameter: 1 mm — Stigma color: N87A — Style color: Light green — Ovarycolor RHS 137B.

[0043] Seed development: Some seed development has been observed onplants of the new Lobelia.

[0044] Disease resistance: Under commercial conditions, plants of thenew Lobelia are resistant to fungal pathogens common to Lobelia.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Lobelia plant,substantially as illustrated and described herein.